Author Archives:

Moultrie County CEFS food pantry

News Progress Posted on by


A lifeline to county residents

•June 11, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Many are aware that the local Sullivan CEFS office is involved in, or directs, numerous programs that support Moultrie County residents: Sullivan, Arthur, Allenville, Gays, Dalton City, Bethany, and Lovington. Of note is its Food Pantry, which serves monthly food boxes, consisting of 4-5 meals per box, to between 180 and 220 families every month, and will deliver these food boxes to the homebound. This program is funded via private donations as well as in-kind donations from grocers and other food suppliers. During the summer growing season, the Illinois Extension donates produce as well. CEFS includes recipes when they can to help recipients maximize their food boxes, and especially when items like venison are distributed. So far this year, CEFS has been assisting primarily young families and the elderly, but those groups and numbers are subject to change. And although it’s a monthly food box, if you are still struggling to put food on the table, the CEFS office can still help.

Read more: Moultrie County CEFS food pantry

Other items are available if requested, such as infant formula (and a referral to the Women, Infants, and Children program, if needed), personal hygiene products, diapers, and, when available, household cleaning products. CEFS Food Pantries’ biggest needs right now are cash donations and canned proteins, such as chicken.

Read More

Sullivan Electronics Recycling event much needed by community

News Progress Posted on by

Photo DM Williamee Sullivan’s Saturday, June 7th, electronics recycling event, which began 30 minutes earlier than advertised at Wyman Park, drew crowds, ready to appropriately offload broken and outdated electronics. The top item discarded? Flat screen TVs and monitors (200+). The oddest items? A vintage electronic keyboard and a truckload of Christmas lights. Five trailers were filled to capacity and weighing in by tonnage. Those working the event were (L-R): Mike Cain, Brandon Beckwith, Kyler Lane, Clint Thompson, Mike Piper, Alex Bailey, Travis Hugues, and Luke Goss. Also in attendance was the Sullivan Police Department, ensuring residency requirements were enforced.

SES 2025/2026 registration

News Progress Posted on by


•June 11, 2025•


Online registration opens July 17th. In-person registration opens July 23rd, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Kindergarten and new family registration events will be held on July 23rd at 5:30 p.m., July 24th at 3:00 p.m., and July 25th from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.

Fish for free June 13-14

News Progress Posted on by


•June 11, 2025•

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has set June 13 through 16 as Illinois free fishing days for 2025. During these four days, anglers can fish without purchasing a fishing license, salmon stamp, or inland trout stamp in Illinois. The goal is for non-anglers to discover or rediscover the fun of fishing and to introduce children to the activity.

Groups and organizations that need fishing equipment and educational materials can complete the online form and IDNR will furnish materials while supplies last. 

Outside of the free fishing days, Illinois requires anyone over the age of 16 to have a fishing license to fish. Exclusions apply to active-duty military and people with disabilities. Standard fishing licenses can be purchased for $15 at vendors throughout Illinois or online. Learn more about fishing in Illinois at ifishillinois.org.

Bethany senior potluck

News Progress Posted on by


•June 11, 2025•


The Bethany Senior Citizen Potluck will be held on Wednesday, June 18th at 11:00 a.m. at the Bethany library, located at 216 W Main Street. Meatloaf will be furnished. All are welcome.

SHS Valedictorian and Salutatorian: Hard work, big dreams

News Progress Posted on by


•June 4, 2025•

Addison Brush

SHS Valedictorian Addison Brush shared the following in her speech, “…success isn’t always about having it all figured out. It’s about taking that first step, then the next, even when you’re unsure. It’s about staying curious, being bold, and choosing to grow through every experience. The world we’re walking into needs fresh ideas, new energy, and the courage to question how things have always been done. That’s where we come in.” 

Olivia Cortes

SHS Salutatorian Olivia Cortes shared the following in her speech, “We are a class of big dreams and aspirations, but to achieve those goals, we have to work just as hard in the future as we have to get to this point. Success is not given but earned through hard work and determination. Some may be handed opportunities in life, but the Sullivan High School Class of 2025 will always be the ones working for the opportunities that they deserve.” 

First Apostolic Church House of Prayer: new Pastor appointment

News Progress Posted on by


•June 4, 2025•

First Apostolic Church House of Prayer has announced the appointment of Reverend Gary Barnes as Pastor. Reverend Barnes and his wife, Angie Barnes, have a combined 60+ years in ministry. 

Rev. Barnes is originally from North Mississippi, having grown up under the ministry of Rev. JC Hall in Walnut, Mississippi, and is a licensed minister with the ACJC. He is a certified Genesis Process Relapse prevention facilitator and has been involved in all facets of ministry, including prison/jail and outreach ministry, home missions, home Bible studies, pastoring, teaching, and evangelizing. He served the ACJC Mid-South District of Tennessee/Mississippi as the Home Missions Director for three years and continues to support home missions in any way possible. Rev. Barnes has pastored two home missions works in north Mississippi and, most recently, assisted at Living Hope Church in Rainsville, Alabama.

Read more: First Apostolic Church House of Prayer: new Pastor appointment


    Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.

SDS summer meals changes

News Progress Posted on by


•June 4, 2025•

Sullivan Schools will be providing free meals to anyone 18 and under in our area. They plan to deliver meals door-to-door to anyone who would like to receive meals within the Sullivan School District. This will occur one day per week, with 7 days of meals per child. Meal delivery began the week of May 26th, and it will run through July 31st.  

 New this year is a meal pickup program for families residing outside of the Sullivan School District. Those families may pick up meals at the Sullivan Elementary School from 3:00-6:00 p.m., which began on Mondays beginning June 2nd.

Read more: SDS summer meals changes


    Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.

June MoCo Quarter Madness

News Progress Posted on by


•June 4, 2025•

Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold its June Quarter Auction on Wednesday, June 11th. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. The organization of the month is the Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit 68. Founded in 1919, they are made up of spouses, mothers, daughters, and granddaughters of veterans. They are dedicated to serving veterans, the military, and their families. The Sullivan Unit provides gifts for local nursing home veterans for various holidays throughout the year. And they support local youth organizations and families in the community. Specific community contributions include Poppy Distribution; sponsoring high school girls to attend Girls State each summer; holding the Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest, the Americanism Essay Contest, and the Poppy Poster Contest; supporting Auxiliary scholarships; conducting Chili and Anything But Chili Cookoffs; and supporting Red Cross Club’s Service to the Armed Forces projects.

Read more: June MoCo Quarter Madness


    Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.

Remembering Who We Are…………61

News Progress Posted on by

The Halfway House


•June 4, 2025•

by Janet Roney 

“Ted, you and Dena are doing the same thing your grandparents did almost two centuries ago at Graham’s Halfway House Inn on the old Charleston Stage Road…feeding and letting travelers spend the night at your inn!”

 We had just finished pitching our tents in Graham’s east yard at the end of our second day of hiking into the past on our 1982 family hike to Mattoon on the old Charleston Road. Our kids, aged twelve and nine, had stuffed themselves with Dena’s fried chicken supper, while Roger and I were fed by stories Ted told about his grandparents’ inn that once stood a short distance east of their house. 

Read more: Remembering Who We Are…………61


    Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.